Pacific Suite, Post Ranch

Take that, work day. We're dreaming of Big Sur.

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ACCOLADES APLENTY: It doesn't seem like a month goes by without us reading of some low-key starlet sneaking away for a little downtime at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur. Or we're hearing that the cliffside clutch of funky-chic buildings has again garnered a major accolade or award. So then we promptly fret and we bite our lip and we worry that the earthily posh property will outgrow its sand-covered britches and start putting on airs. But it never seems to. Which seems to be a good bit of advice to all things and people and places that get a lot of public love: Don't let the applause go to your head.

ABOUT THOSE ACCOLADES: Travel and Leisure recently put it on a a Best Hotels in the World list while Andrew Harper's Reader's Choice Awards rated it the #1 U.S. Hideway. Neither is small potatoes, no? But it isn't going to Post Ranch's head; no flashing neon sign has been placed out front, there's no hot dance club thumping at all hours, and the sea birds that often alight atop the various levels of the above-it-all retreat? Staunchly unsnobby about calling the area home.

ABOUT THE PHOTO: It's the Upper Pacific Suite Deck. We thought it to be a fine photograph to run the Monday after Tax Week. Could we all use a little ocean breather? Yes. We ourselves have spent the better part of five minutes staring at it, slack-jawed. We now invite you to do the same.

YES: We said "earthily posh" before. If that isn't an official California Design sub-style we think it should be. Or "rustically tony"? We'll keep playing with terms.